Darts Terms & Glossary

The maximum score possible with three darts in a single visit: three treble 20s. Often celebrated with a shout of "One hundred and eiiighty!"

A common nickname for darts. "He's got good arrows" means someone is playing well.

The main grip section of a dart, usually made of tungsten or brass. The part you hold when throwing.

Any scoring segment on the dartboard. "Hitting the bed" means landing in the intended area.

Nickname for the 170 checkout — the highest possible finish in darts (T20, T20, Bull).

When a dart hits the board but bounces back without scoring. The throw does not count.

A score of 26, usually from hitting single 5, single 20, and single 1. Named because the bed-and-breakfast price in England used to be 2 shillings and sixpence (2/6).

The centre of the dartboard, worth 50 points. Counts as a double for checkout purposes. The outer bull (green ring around it) scores 25.

When a player's score goes below zero, reaches exactly 1, or reaches 0 without finishing on a double. The visit is void and the score reverts to what it was before the throw.

Nickname for the 132 checkout (T20, T20, D12). Hitting it is considered a reason to celebrate.

The combination of darts needed to finish a leg by reaching exactly zero. The final dart must hit a double or the bullseye.

Throwing a dart at the bullseye to decide who throws first in a match. The player closest to the bull throws first. Also called "middle for diddle."

A darts game where players must close numbers 15–20 and the bullseye by hitting each three times. Points are scored on open numbers until both players have closed them.

The narrow outer ring of the number 1 segment, scoring 2 points. Often called "double 1" and considered one of the hardest doubles to hit due to its small size.

A single throwing projectile used in the game. A standard dart consists of a tip (point), barrel, shaft (stem), and flight.

The narrow outer ring of any number on the board. Scores twice the segment value. Required to finish a leg in standard darts (double out).

A game variant where players must hit a double before they can start scoring. Common in some pub leagues.

The standard rule requiring the final dart of a leg to land on a double (or bullseye for 50). This is the default rule in 301, 501, and professional darts.

Double 20, scoring 40 points. One of the most commonly targeted doubles for checkouts. Also known as "tops."

The lower portion of the dartboard, typically the numbers at the bottom (3, 19, 7, 16, 8).

The large single-scoring area of a number segment (between the treble ring and outer bull). "Go fat" means aim for the large single area to leave a manageable checkout.

The fin-shaped piece at the end of a dart that stabilizes its trajectory. Available in many shapes and sizes (standard, slim, kite, etc.).

The traditional call by the referee to start a match or leg.

Called when a player hits the winning double to finish the match. The referee announces "Game shot and the match" or similar.

How closely together your darts land on the board. Tight grouping indicates good consistency, even if the darts miss the target.

A single game from starting score down to zero. A match usually consists of several legs (e.g., "first to 3 legs").

When a dart lands on the wire or the edge of a segment, either just making it into the intended bed or just missing it.

Nickname for double 1 (D1). It's called madhouse because hitting it under pressure can drive you mad — and missing it can leave you on an impossible finish.

The overall contest between two players, consisting of a set number of legs (e.g., first to 5 legs) or sets.

A score of 180 — three treble 20s. The highest possible score with three darts.

The loser of the previous leg throws first in the next leg. Common in pub and social darts.

A perfect leg — finishing 501 in just nine darts. The ultimate achievement in darts. Common patterns include six T20s and a 141 checkout.

The throwing line behind which players must stand when throwing. Officially 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37m) from the face of the board.

Another word for checkout — the score needed to finish a leg on a double.

See "Nine-darter." Finishing a 501 leg in the minimum possible nine darts.

When a dart lands in the back of another dart already in the board, sticking into the shaft or flight. Does not score.

A player's turn — the three darts they throw before the next player steps up. Also called a "visit" or "throw."

The total points earned in a single visit (three darts). Also refers to the remaining points needed to win the leg.

A group of legs. In set play, a player must win a set number of legs (often 3) to win a set, and a set number of sets to win the match.

The part of the dart between the barrel and the flight. Available in different lengths (short, medium, long) which affect the dart's balance.

Hitting a single, double, and treble of the same number in one visit. In Shanghai (the game), this is an instant win. Also a nickname for the 120 checkout (T20, S20, D20).

The large scoring areas of each number, between the treble ring and the bull, and between the treble ring and the doubles ring. Scores the face value of the number.

An unintended but fortunate dart that scores well despite poor aim. "That was a slop 180" means the player got lucky.

The wire framework embedded in the dartboard that separates the different scoring segments.

A game format where scoring begins with the first dart thrown, without needing to hit a double first. This is the standard for most casual and professional play.

The small inner ring of the 20 segment, scoring 60 points. The most targeted area on the board for scoring, as it gives the highest single-dart score (excluding bull).

A single dart thrown at the board, or a player's entire turn (three darts).

A score of 100 or more in a single visit (three darts). "Ton" specifically means 100; scores above are "ton-forty" (140), "ton-eighty" (180), etc.

A score of 180. See "180."

Double 20 — the top of the dartboard and the most common finishing double. A checkout of 40 is called "tops."

The thin inner ring on any number, scoring three times the segment value. The treble 20 (T20) scores 60 — the highest single-dart score possible.

The most popular material for dart barrels. Dense and durable, allowing for thinner darts with tighter grouping. Usually 80–97% tungsten content.

The upper portion of the dartboard, typically the numbers at the top (20, 1, 18, 4, 13).

A player's turn at the oche — the three darts they throw. "A visit of 140" means the player scored 140 with their three darts.

When a dart just misses the intended segment by hitting the wire divider. "Wired the double 16" means the dart hit the wire next to D16.